South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.